Wild West Saloon is history – and so is Edmonton country bar band scene
The closing of the Wild West Saloon is one of the last nails in the coffin of Edmonton’s once thriving country bar band scene. After 30 years of live music, the North Side bar shut down two days before Christmas, according to entertainment booker Ray Woodward, who hired bands in the room for the last […]
GIGGLE CITY: Julian Faid, Player of the Month, makes it all up as he goes along
There are a lot of ways to skin a cat for a laugh when it comes to live comedy – cat lovers, please hold your tongues – but both improv performers and stand-up comics have the same goal: To make drunk people laugh. Improv comedy has been a proven alternative to straight stand-up shows since […]
Surf rocking Tsunami Brothers latest project for eclectic musician Bill Damur
As likely to turn up with a lute in a medieval minstrel troupe as a thrash guitarist in some rock band, Edmonton musician Bill Damur has learned to be versatile. What was true in music school – “You’re there to suck in every piece of information and every experience you can” – is true in […]
New Trevor Anderson film The Man That Got Away to premiere this fall
With the release of the trailer for Trevor Anderson’s new film, The Man That Got Away, we can at last get a peek into the life of his mysterious Great Uncle Jimmy – an Alberta farm boy turned Broadway dancer who became friends with Judy Garland while the two were in rehab together. The Man […]
TRUE TALES OF THE ROAD: Hugh Dillon and the Headstones return from the brink
Hugh Dillon figures the lowest point in his life occurred in Edmonton – no fault of Edmonton. Hugh loves Edmonton. The Headstones wouldn’t be back to play the Shaw Conference Centre on New Year’s Eve if he didn’t. We just happened to be the town where the singer took a flying leap off the wagon […]
2011, REAREND IN VIEW: Comedy thrives in Edmonton
In almost a year of deep explorations of stand-up comedians and their comedy, two themes emerge: 1. Geez, what a dirty job. 2. But somebody’s got to do it. Yes, somebody has to tell the truth out there. We get lied to on a daily basis by the government, by corporations, by the media, by […]
TONIGHT: Piper at the Gates of the Telus World of Science
Important disclaimer: local rock band Blue Goat is performing a Pink Floyd tribute inside the star dome at the Telus World of Science on Thursday – both the shortest day and longest night of the year – but you will not hear Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2. You may not have any pudding. […]
Snow Globe Festival promises parent appeal with family entertainment
The secret to creating quality children’s entertainment might not be easy, but it is simple. Or is it the other way around? For comedy, mom or dad falling over is the funniest thing in the world – as Robert Munsch figured out long ago. For drama, simply get rid of mom or dad. Or both. […]
MUSIC: LMFAO lives up to its name
Going into a tilt about the cesspool of immoral behaviour rampant in modern top-40 music, we encounter the curious case of LMFAO. Their name stands for (children, avert your eyes), “Laughing My Fucking Ass Off.” This is one band that lives up to its name. Returning Wednesday to headline Rexall Place (tickets), LMFAO was here […]
INTERVIEW: Ruben Studdard reflects on post-Idol life, Singing Christmas Tree
It’s not every day an American Idol winner turns up performing with a Singing Christmas Tree in Edmonton – but this is no ordinary Singing Christmas Tree. Nor is Ruben Studdard an ordinary American Idol winner. Here’s a funny twist: At the Jubilee Auditorium Friday through Sunday, this annual Christmas event (featuring a festively-garbed choir […]
